Nonsinkable bathing suit



Oct. 21, 1941.

AL. soMMERs ETAL NONSINKABLE BA'I'HING SUIT Filed July 17, 1939 ALBERT use/mam m ROBERT BLac/r,

Patented Oct. 21, 1941 UNITED. STATES PATEN {QFFlCE N. Y., assignors to Non-Sinkable Corporation of America I H 7 Application July 17,- 1939, Serial 1310;2 4:168

. 3 Claims. 101. 9-26 This invention relates to a non-sinkable bathing suit. V v

An object of the invention is the construction of a simple and efficient bathing suit that possesses a great amount of buoyancy.

Another object of the inventionis the construction of a novel non-sinkable bathing: suit which can easily be adjusted or fitted to the bodies of persons of varying sizes. 'j 7 A still further object of the invention is the novel and efficient construction of the entire suit, involving the general body outline, together with the novel formation of the-pockets for the buoyant units, aswell as the peculiar neck structure of the suit.

Another-object of the invention is the novel construction of each buoyant unit, which is eX- ceedingly flexible or yieldable, and which possesses a far greater buoyancy than ordinary means, such as cork.

Another object is the elimination in a bathing suit of a non-sinkable type, of hard or hurtful construction, by employing in the suit of buoyant units preferably composed of thin rubber casings, each filled with a buoyant, specially treated fiber of a special kind.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts which will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing,

Figure l is a view in front elevation, showing a portion partly broken away, of a non-sinkable bathing suit constructed in accordance with the present invention, while Figure 2 is a side View of the same.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the suit, partly shown in section.

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on line 4-4, Fig. 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5, Fig. 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5a is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the pockets, with the buoyant unit therein, parts being shown in transverse section.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the suit, partly shown in section. and illustrating buoyant units of different sizes from the buoyant units shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 7 is a view of a quantity of the shredded weed fiber that is an essential and novel element of the present invention.

Bathing Suit 1 Referring to the drawing, in which the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown, I designates the non-sinkablebathing suit, which comprises an 'outer or face cloth 2 and a lining cloth 3 ofv any preferred or'suitable material.

These units 2 and 3 are stitched or sewed. at 4, producing ,ljongitudinally-extending pockets 5; these pockets 5 extend from, the lower edge' of the skirt-like portion 6 to the shoulder lines I or'to the horizontal lines 8.. Therefore, ,the longitudinally extending pockets for the buoyant units 9 and ill, terminate shorto f'the front neck portion l l and the rear ,neck portion l2. The neck, portions H ,andjlZ are provided with slots ed a neck string or cord l4. Bythis peculiar structureof'the upper portion of the bathing suit, the unobstructed or plain neck portions H and I2 permit of the easy puckering or adjustment of the suit, by means of the string or cord 14 around the chest or neck of the wearer. The ease and comfort obtained by this novel structure, would be unobtainable if the longitudinallyextending pockets for the buoyant units were continued up to the slots l3.

By means of the suit being cut out to form the free shoulder lines 1, the arms of the wearer are left free for action, and the suit is thereby made easy for adjustment to persons of different sizes.

On one side of the suit is a Zipper device l5 which extends preferably from the lower edge of the skirt portion 6 to the lower portion of the neck line I, Fig. 2. Operating the Zipper device IS, the suit can be laid open substantially its entire length, for permitting ready fitting of the suit on the wearer. After the suit has been donned, then the wearer can close the Zip-perside, by operating the Zipper device it.

If desired, any suitable belt l6 may be employed to cause the suit to more closely fit the body of the wearer.

In the lower portion of the suit there is placed a crotch strap ll, the ends of which strap are secured by stitching l8 to the skirt portion of the suit, Fig. 2.

The buoyant units 9 and I0 comprise a thin rubber casing l9, whether they be long in construction, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, or comparatively short in construction, as shown in Figure 6. The thin rubber used is of excellent quality, durable and light in weight. Each casing or stall is filled with a Brazilian weed product 20, which is in the form of light fiuffy strands or fibers and is very soft and has six l31at their upfper ed ges, through which is thread ings, to insure preservation of the same, we

treat said fiber to a solution of parafiine wax and naphtha. In producing one gallon and a slight fraction of the solution, eight ounces of wax is used to one gallon of naphtha. Upon dipping or otherwise submer'sing the weed fiber 20 in this solution, the same is impregnated or coated thoroughly whereby, when in the casing, the buoyancy is not affected in the least, but the preservation of the fiber is greatly increased. The casings, when filled, are preferably tied or otherwise sealed at 2], Fig. 6, whereby they are tightly closed with the .chemically treated buoyant means therein. f

In constructing the bathing suit, the long or short buoyant unitaas shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6, can be used in difl'erent parts of the suit, as the constructor desires. The buoyant units will produce a Soft and pliable suit, with no undesirable obstructions or hard points bearing against the wearers body. It is also to be noted that when the neck cord I4 is tightened upon the wearer, this operation brings the suit up in the back and front, .hence making it fit tight. If desired, two straps maybe used across the shoulders (not shown);

It is to be understood that the suit, other than the novel buoyant units, can be made of different materials such as silk, wool, cotton, or rayon, etc. The suit can be easily folded, when it is desired to be conveyed, or stored away, and when so doing there is no possibility of crushing or injuring the buoyant units in the pockets of the suit. It has been found from experience that the suit can be easily cleaned or washed without any damage to the elements or units of the suit.

While the preferred embodiment of this invention has been described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, certain minor changes or alterations may appear to one skilled in the art to which this invention relates during the extensive manufacture of same, and, therefore, we reserve the right to make such changes or alterations as shall fairly fall within the-scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. A nonsinkable bathing suit, comprising a suit formed with pockets, and buoyant means in said pockets formed of Pina Deseta.

2. A non-sinkable bathing suit, comprising a suit formed with pockets, and buoyant means in said pockets each consisting of casing filled with Pina Deseta fibers.

3, A non-sinkable bathing suit, comprising a suit f o r m e d with longitudinally-extending pockets, and buoyant meansin said pockets each consisting of an elastic jacket filled with Pina Deseta fibers compressed into a compact mass by elasticity of the jacket.

ALBERT L. SOMMERS. ROBERT BLOCK. 

